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The Sussex astronaut Major Tim Peake says he would return to space in a heartbeat, but is looking forward to spending time with his family. He was speaking at a press conference from the European Space Agency's base in Germany.

The conference was an opportunity for him to share some of his experiences and explain what it is like, now that he is back on earth.

After one hundred and eighty six days in space, Major Tim Peake has returned to earth. The astronaut from Westbourne, near Chichester in Sussex, left the International Space Station to land in Kazakhstan this morning. His journey and willingness to share his experiences with the world have inspired children and adults alike. Mary Stanley reports

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Major Tim Peake may have enjoyed a textbook return to earth but he may face a bumpy landing at the traditional welcome ceremony in Kazakhstan, reports ITV News producer Patrick Russell.

The British astronaut and his two colleagues are due to arrive on the windy runway in Karaganda in two hours for an event which will see the trio given gifts of bread and salt and a traditional Kazakh hat.

Meanwhile, Major Peake's parents were pictured watching on proudly as the Briton returned after six months in space.

The astronaut and his two colleagues are due to attend a traditional welcoming ceremony in Kazakhstan, after which Major Peake will have to climb back on a plane to the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany.

Live video is following Tim Peake's spacecraft as he returns to earth after six months in space.

The Soyuz spacecraft has begun its decent back into the atmosphere in a dramatic trip that will see the capsule shoot through searing temperatures as it re-enters the earth atmosphere before landing at 10.15 am BST.